Monday, February 22, 2016

Oneri Fleita, Positive Way - 2145

"All of us with the Cubs owe Oneri a debt of gratitude for his
tremendous service to the organization over many years," Epstein said in
a statement, according to ESPN.com. "Oneri has impacted countless people here in a positive
way, and we wish him well as he continues his career elsewhere."

Fleita spent more than a decade with the Cubs in various capacities, including scout and vice president for player personnel. He started his coaching career in 1990, after a brief playing career. He played two seasons. He didn't make AA.

Fleita's professional career began in 1988, signed by the Orioles as an undrafted free agent out of Creighton University.

At Creighton, Fleita hit .408 in 1988. He also hit 30 doubles, second-most in the country, according to his ProCards card.

With the Orioles, Fleita hit .222 at short-season Erie. He also had five home runs and 16 RBI. He then moved to high-A Frederick for 1989. He knocked in a run on a single in an August game, one of 29 RBI he had on the year. Overall, he hit .238, ending his brief playing career.

Fleita then started his coaching career. He coached 1990 at single-A Wausau, coaching at third. He then moved with the club to single-A Kane County. He served as manager for the Orioles in the rookie Gulf Coast League in 1993 and 1994.

Fleita then arrived in the Cubs system. He first served as manager at short-season Williamsport for 1995 before becoming a scout.

"It's been a lot of fun," Fleita told The Tribune. "Look, when you work with Jim Hendry
and (assistant general manager) Randy Bush and Lou Piniella it's a great
gig. I look at it this way, they give all these guys a chance when they
come up."

Fleita stayed with the Cubs into 2012, when the change in leadership left him on the way out. For 2013, he signed with the Reds as consultant. In 2016, he's signed with the Tigers as a scout.